Asbestos in Recalled Toys Raises Fresh Concerns for Businesses

1 May 2026

Reports that more than 30 toys have been recalled in the UK since the start of the year due to asbestos contamination have brought this dangerous material very much back into the public eye. Most people hear "asbestos" and think of old office blocks or school buildings, but many products from around the world can still contain it.

Tesco, Primark, Matalan, Smyths Toys, The Entertainer, Aldi, Argos, Asda and M&S have all taken toys off their shelves that are believed to contain sand from mines in China that don’t have the same rigorous control standards as we have in Europe. 

For businesses that import, distribute or sell products, that's a real worry, as the dangers often aren’t visible, which puts customers at risk.

What This Means For Businesses

This particular story is about toys, but the lesson applies much more broadly. If your business sources products from overseas manufacturers - or anywhere further down the supply chain - the question of what's in those products needs to be answered.

In practical terms, that means:

• Greater scrutiny of supply chains - Understanding where your products come from is one thing. Understanding how they're made and what goes into them is another. Supplier assurances are a starting point, not a safety net.

• Increased risk of product recalls - Recalls cost money, create chaos, and leave a mark on your reputation. Finding problems before products reach customers is always the better outcome.

• Legal and compliance responsibilities - Putting unsafe products on the market is a legal issue, not just a PR one. The fact that the supplier you used gave you incorrect information doesn't necessarily protect you.

• The need for proper testing and verification - Independent testing and solid documentation aren't box-ticking exercises. They're what you point to when someone asks what steps you took to ensure your products were safe.

What this asbestos toy situation really illustrates is that the risks businesses need to worry about aren't always the obvious ones. Getting ahead of that means having systems in place that go beyond surface-level checks. 

Protecting Your Business Against the Dangers of Asbestos

Compliance isn't something you can set up once and forget about. Supply chains change, regulations evolve, and new risks emerge. Businesses that treat product safety as an ongoing priority are in a much stronger position when things get complicated.

If you want to take a closer look at how your business is currently protecting itself against the dangers of asbestos, get in touch with the OHSS team today on 01 6905907.

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